How do you decide which gun/guns to take to the range with you?

[Stu1205]

Since I joined the Forum in April, I have succumbed to the sickness.
I have since added seven S&W revolvers to my collection.
Some models that I didn't have, some of the same model but with a different barrel length,
and one duplicate of one I had (because the price was too good to let it pass).
Now, that being said, here is the problem. I wanted to go the the range the other day.
I opened up my gun safe and just stood there trying to decide which one or ones I wanted to shoot.
I couldn't make up my mind. Should I take a 38, .357, 45, and then which one?
Then I thought, I don't want to take too many because I am going to have to clean them when I get home.
I got so frustrated trying to decide, I closed the safe and stayed home.
I was overcome with paralysis by analysis.

So, I am asking, those who have more than one gun, or should I say many guns,
how do you decide which ones you want to take to the range?
What caliber, barrel length, etc?
Do you have a favorite you always take?
Do you take more than one?
If so, how many?
Do you clean them each time after you shoot?

Thanks in advance for your take on this.

Stu

 

[586L-Frame]

Stu,
I hear where you are coming from.

I have the same thoughts, and quite often end up not going.
You phrased it perfectly....
'overcome with paralysis by analysis'.

When I do go, I try to concentrate on taking one or two calibers
and no more than six firearms.
I do clean them after each outing.

Good luck in figuring out your choices, then just get out there
and enjoy your time at the range.
In the overall picture...that's what it is all about.
586L-Frame

 

[BUFF]

I find that, because I am lazy by nature, I tend to take guns that are already dirty rather than the clean ones!

 

[Aticus]

Depends on what I feel like shooting. Today I took me AR because I changed the sight and wanted to check it out. The other were just to use up some ammo I had.

"Course if the Grandson is with me then he gets to decide.

Yes I clean after each trip.

Pecos

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

Dirty guns shoot the best...

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Take Stainless-you don't have to clean them
ALso ALWAYS take a .22-doesn't matter what kind-but ALWAYS take a .22.
I have use of the Sheriff's range and I always bring a couple of revolvers-the young deputies love to shoot them and are amazed at how smooth and accurate they are compared to their glocks and other whizz-bang autos.

 

[LedFowl]

I take two handguns. One is always a .22 Browning. I take my M&P9 every other week, alternated with one of my others in calibers that are more expensive to shoot.

 

[pilgrim6a]

I have a Kimber conversion on my old Colt series 70 and a box of Auto Match that lives in the range bag. There's also 15 rds of .38 +Ps for the 642, that I shoot every trip. Then whatever .38 spl or High Power strikes my fancy. Sometimes a .44 spl.
On top of all that. Lately 2 different K22s have been going on top of the basic load.
I have been thinking of getting one of the grand kids to carry the bag. I might even let 'em shoot.

 

[Pete99004]

I usually pick a caliber - then pick the guns that apply - always clean the guns after and reload mags if applicable so I don't need to worry about which one is clean and which one isn't before the next shoot. They are always ready to go - to the range or whatever/whenever it's needed. I also agree with Caj - take a .22 with you - they are always fun. (I don't always clean the .22 though - never feel it needs it that badly.)

 

[BaldEagle1313]

Even though it's a PITA to clean, I always take the .22 (brand X 22/45 mark II) and my 457 (normal carry gun) for sure. Anything else is just what I feel like at the time. 28, 39-2, 908, 910, pick'em.

Always clean them after use, and don't put it off. I did that once. Never again. If you have time to watch a ball game, you have time to clean your firearms while you watch.

 

[Snapping Twig]

A couple things enter into it for me.

First off, I consider who I'm going with and what their needs are. Generally speaking, I take a lot of nuggets out, so they may not appreciate a 454 the way I would.

I then consider myself. Of late I'm on a 44Spl kick and pretty much achieve fulfillment lobbing a bunch of them downrange, but it could be different depending on mood.

I try to limit it to 2 ~ 3 guns, and truth be told I am also influenced by how many boolits I have in the bin for a given caliber. Since I cast, I like to not use up all a given caliber if I can avoid it. Shooting 100 and only having 50 or 60 slugs to size and lube for reloading is a no-no for me.

I have to be in the right frame of mind to shoot the 1911. Chasing brass is counterproductive, but I do it like a waif when I have to. A 1911 in the hand is a special feeling and I try not to let too long of an interval between outings with one.

Sometimes, most of the time really, I take a magnum of some nature, just to keep things honest.

 

[Class III]

I ALWAYS take my EDC pieces and shoot the ammo I carry in them. On top of the EDC pieces I usually have to play a few rounds of "Eeny meeny miny mo" to decide what the others will be. I usually take a 22 because they are so fun to shoot. Normal number of guns going to the range with me is six or seven.

I clean after every range session as soon as I get home most times, never more than 24 hours later.

Almost forgot one that makes every range trip, a Colt Double Eagle Commander 45 ACP. A buddy of mine drools over it every time it comes out of the range bag. I even let him shoot a mag full once a few years ago. Ain't I a nice guy?

Class III

 

[Shooting4life]

If I am goin to an indoor range I like to bring a 3 inch 44 mag, I like elbow room.

 

[Bicky Robby]

Well it just depends. I don't like taking more than 2 calibers becasue of having to lug the ammo.

My wife has just started to shoot IDPA with me, so I have been shooting lots of 9mm lately which means the M&P and XD have been getting the nod. If I am teaching, I match the students caliber.

A 1911 ALWAYS goes.

I haven't shot rifles hardly at all in the last year.

Cleaning - everything we shoot gets cleaned except for the Polymer's.

 

[novalty]

This weekend it took me a little while to try and decide. Knew I wanted to bring my S&W 1911, but wasn't sure about any other handguns. Decided to bring a rifle instead, and just stood in front of the safe door trying to decide. Mind you I don't have many, so standing there thinking which of these 3 do I bring. Do I bring the 30/30 Marlin I have never fired--well I do hate recoil, so that is one con. Do I bring the Mini-14, well at the moment I have 1 clip, and it is a pain reloading after every 5 rounds. Do I bring the new Ruger 10/22, I just got for my youngest, well that hasn't been cleaned yet. So now I have it down to either the Ruger's. Deciding factor was that I have a Do-All steel spinner target, which I know I can shoot the 22's at without it being damaged--not so much with the Mini-14 as I only have jacketed. So the S&W 1911, and the new Ruger 10/22--which will be my 1 year olds when he gets old enough. At least I will get to test it for accuracy & function before it gets cleaned & stored in the safe for a long time.

 

[oldman45]

Simple decision. I am always wearing one (1911 in .45acp) and occasionally shoot a Mod 66, Mod 36 and a Mod 422. So each trip carries those guns. All the others collect dust. Some of my guns were bought in the 70's and have never been fired. Because you own a gun does not mean it has to be shot. I will not ever have a need to shoot the other guns so why carry them to the range.

 

[AirForceShooter]

Always the EDC and a .22.
After that it's sort of open the safe and ask myself what haven't I shot for a while or what do I feel like shooting.
There's no routine to it at all.

AFS

 

[Black_Sheep]

I will always bring one of my carry guns, a Model 60 or Model 49. If the Mrs is going along I let her choose, otherwise I'll grab a couple others that I haven't fired for awhile. The whole process is pretty random...

 

[Will Carry]

I usually have a theme when I go to the range. Last time it was "Revolver" day. Next time it may be 9mm day or concealed carry day or 22 day or 45acp day. I always take my pocket pistol regardless of the theme and run the olf ammo through it.

 

[Faulkner]

So, I am asking, those who have more than one gun, or should I say many guns,
how do you decide which ones you want to take to the range?

I don't really know . . . makes me wonder how my wife knows what shoes to wear each day.